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Paris can appear to a first time visitor almost like the center of a civilization unto itself. The city is built on a grand scale with huge palaces, wide boulevards, cathedrals, and the Seine running through the center. The great museums, the intellectual quality of the Left Bank, the Champs Elysees, institutions of French government all contribute to making Paris a memorable city.
Paris is an unusually diverse city in that respect. The various areas within Paris are a source of amazement. The city's different quarters seem to be fascinating worlds unto themselves. As one begins to understand Paris, there are pleasant surprises in discovering some new quarter of the city.
Paris is, of course, a famous city for art. Absorbing museums can be found in various locations throughout the city. The Louvre is, possibly, the world's greatest museum. The George Pompidou Center for Art and Culture, one of Paris' most attractive modern buildings, features entertaining exhibits of modern art. The Rodin Museum on the Left Bank specializing in the work of one artist. Wherever one looks in Paris, there is some reminder of an art exhibit or museum.
Paris has some of the most glamourous department stores anywhere. Galleries Lafayette, Au Printemps, and the other big department stores have peerless selections of everything from everyday goods to art reproductions, fine china, and crystal. Specialty stores of all kind are also found throughout the city. Shopping in Paris is possibly as meritorious as anywhere. Clothing, decor items, electronics, art, or whatever else one may want to purchase can be found effortlessly.
The haute cuisine of Paris is a reality. A satisfying meal in Paris is a unique if expensive experience. Pick a nice restaurant and try to avoid the bill becoming unreasonable. Another possibility is to begin dinner at one place, and then finish off with desert at a second establishment. Sidewalk cafes found throughout Paris offer an opportunity to obtain a less expensive meal. Besides food and coffee,sidewalk cafes afford an opportunity to watch people, a popular Parisian pastime.
Paris' extraordinary scenic views convey that Paris is the center of French civilization. The Seine flowing through the center of Paris contributes to creating extraordinary vistas of the city. The Eiffel Tower stands prominently visible for some distance. The Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe are visible from the Louvre. Paris' great edifices have been centuries in the building.
Use the Metro and Allow Time for Leisurely Discovery
Paris is a large city, and there are considerable distances between places. One need combine walking with use of the metro to get around reasonably in this city. The Paris metro is among the best subway systems anywhere. Using the metro one can conveniently find any location in Paris.
Study the maps of Paris before arriving. Browse through some books that show pictures of the town. Paris can seem somewhat unusual to the American visitor his first visit. Paris is enlivening, though, because of the numerous places to visit throughout the city.
Beginning to explore Paris, be sure to allow enough time. The first visit to Paris requires some extra time to acclimate oneself to new surroundings. Enough time is needed in Paris to discover places leisurely. On first visit, discover there is more to Paris than had been imagined.
Once carefully oriented, Paris is not an unusually perplexing city for most people. Everywhere in Paris people speak English. Remember Paris is more than the city's important attractions.
Paris' Edifices
Begin the Paris urban hike by taking the metro to Charles de Gaulle Etoile. The Arc de Triomphe is located here. Napoleon began building the Arc in 1806. Twelve avenues radiate from the arc. Climb to the top of the Arc for a superb view of the Paris vicinity surrounding Charles de Gaulle Etoile.
Having admired the Arc de Triomphe walk down the Champs Elysees toward the Place de la Concorde. The Champs Elysees is elegant and should be an exceptional beginning for this city's urban hike. At the first traffic circle, the Rond Point des Champs Elysees, follow Avenue Montaigne to the northeast for one block. Turn right on Avenue Gabriel, and find Elysee Palace where the President of France resides.
Further along Avenue Gabriel, reach Rue Royal. The Place de La Concorde is to the right of Rue Royal. The guillotine was situated here during the French Revolution, and this is where Louis the XVI was beheaded. Stones from the Bastille are used in the bridge across the Seine adjacent to the Place de la Concorde.
Continue the urban hike by going north on Rue Royal toward the Place de Madeleine. The Boulevard de la Madeleine becomes the Boulevard des Capucines, and in a few blocks, reaches the Palace de l'Opera. For an adequate perusal go inside the opera.
The urban hike continues to the northeast around l'Opera. Galleries Lafayette, the famous department store, is directly behind l'Opera. Take a few minutes from the hike to browse through Galleries Lafayette. Au Printemps, another famous department store, is about a block further down Boulevard Haussman.
After having finished looking at these department stores, take the metro to Abbesses. This metro stop is near Sacre-Coeur, the gleaming while basilica on a hill overlooking Paris. From Sacre-Coeur, the view of Paris is really unsurpassed.
The neighborhood around Sacre-Coeur is known as Montmartre. There are shops, restaurants, and street artists in this area of the city. Perhaps spend some time looking around Montmartre.
From Montmartre, take the metro to Rambuteau. The George Pompidou Center for Art and Culture is located here. The Pompidou Center is a new and unusual building. Take the escalators on the exterior of the building to the top floor. From the top floor of the Pompidou there is a splendid view of Paris. Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, the Left Bank, the Eiffel Tower, and everything else Parisian in between these places.
The Pompidou Center's top floor is used for current modern art exhibitions. About twice a year these exhibits change. A book store sells posters advertising the various exhibits. The Pompidou Center is a popular place for Parisians to visit.
Having admiring the Pompidou Center, go south on Sebastopol a block or two to the Tour St. Jacques and the Rue de Rivoli. The Theatre du Chatelet and the Theatre de la Ville can be seen across the square. Turn right on Rivoli. In a few blocks, find the Musee du Louvre.
The Louvre is one of the world's outstanding art museums. To see the Louvre adequately, allow at least half a day. Almost certainly seeing the Louvre extraordinary collection adequately requires one return at a later time.
From the Louvre, walk along the right bank of the Seine to the Pont au Change. Cross the Seine to the Ile de Cite. Turn east through the small streets until seeing Notre Dame. This great cathedral was built between 1163 and 1345. For a superior view of the vicinity, climb to the top of one of the cathedral's towers.
After having seen Notre Dame, cross the Seine again this time to the Left Bank. Walk a block beyond the Seine and then turn right on one of the small sides streets. This is the area of Paris known as the Left Bank. Continue on to Place St. Michels. Continue from here on Rue St. Andre Arts reaching the church St. Germain des Pres.
Small restaurants abound on the Left Bank. Unfortunately prices are the same as for haute cuisine found throughout Paris. Booksellers, small shops and hotels are also found in abundance in this quarter. The Left Bank's popularity is attested to by the large crowds of people usually found visiting here.
Take the metro from St. Germain des Pres to Montparnasse-Bienvenue. Paris' tallest building, the Montparnasse Center, and a shopping complex are located here. In all, there are over 80 shops found in the shopping complex including branches of Paris' large department stores.
From the Montparnasse Center, take the metro to the Chambre des Deputes station. The French National Assembly, or French Parliament, is located here. The National Assembly is situated directly across the Seine from the Place de la Concorde.
After seeing the French National Assembly, follow Rue de l'Universite west to Rue de Constantine and turn south. In a few blocks, reach Les Invalides. Napoleon's Tomb is located in Les Invalides.
The Rodin Museum is on the other side of Boulevard des Invalides. Many of Rodin's famous sculptor including The Thinker are found here. From the Rodin Museum, turn west on Avenue de Tourville, the street in front of Les Invalides. The Parc du Champ de Mars is only a few blocks from here. This is the park located in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower was originally opened for an international exposition in 1889 and stands over 980 feet tall. An elevator takes one to the first level. From the tower's first level one can continue to the observation platform near the top.
Next, cross the Seine this time at the Point d'Iena directly in front of the Eiffel Tower. The Palais de Chaillot is ahead. There are several commendable museums found in the Palais de Chaillot. From the Palaisde Chaillot's terrace has an unusually pleasant view of the Eiffel Tower with Paris in the background. The Palais de Chaillot concludes the Paris urban hike.
The First Time Visitor or Experienced Traveler
Paris is a city worth some extra effort. This is an unusual city, and discovering Paris can be complex. Several visits are sometimes required before one begins to feel confident about Paris. If one has enough time; however, to visit those places most liked an acquaintanceship with Paris should be off to an exemplary start.
Several visits usually are required to appreciate how much there is to Paris. Quarters and places reflecting the diverse nature of Paris are often arduous to discover. Finding little known Paris is sometimes required to acquire a real sense of having found Paris.
Before setting out to explore Paris, give some thought to how photography can add to the experience. Somehow Paris' reputation for art carries over into how pleasant photographing this city is. One almost can not have a camera in Paris without being moved to try ones own creativity. The importance Parisians have attributed art makes Paris very photogenic. Photographic subjects are in abundance and include buildings, statues, people, and the outdoors. The photographic results from a day in Paris can be amazingly profitable.
Familiarizing oneself with a large, exciting city is an adventure. The new visitor to Paris likes discovering places often overlooked by other visitors to this city. The experienced traveler thoroughly enjoys reacquainting himself with Paris. When one learns where everything fascinating in Paris is, try returning to those places that are favorites. Discover Paris with a genuine sense of enthusiasm and find this city rarely disappoints.
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